Ask A Foothold, A Wall

[Kazamir Von Derrik Janići]

Standing against a wall, Kazamir was dressed in his typical garb, smiling gently at anyone that caught his eye walking along their daily duties. This city, one of the hundreds on the planet, possessed no less than ten million locals moving about, doing whatever it was that pathetic beings did with their time when not being hunted. Kazamir didn't know, he didn't really care.

Dressel was, by all means, a perfectly lovely world. Though Kazamir would be hard-pressed to say he 'enjoyed' this place. Despite a lovely climate, a sizable native populace, and many places to hide, Kazamir had a preference for Force Sensitive soup. These people simply didn't have any of that, and he felt as though he had to feed far more often than normal on this disgusting planet.

But he had fed recently, and his appetite would be satiated for yet another few days. Until then, he would need to go back to doing his work. Moving down the street, he headed towards a specific alleyway he noted on his mental map of this place. In that alleyway, there was a small door that, when pressed upon by his open palmed hand, could be opened with the Force. The room revealed by the door was painfully small and sparse, containing no more than a small table, a few chairs, a little stuffed bunny on the table, and a bag-bed.

Walking over to one of the chairs, the Anzat pulled out his datapad and sat down quietly to read. He was absorbing everything he could find on the holonet about the Sith, before it was scrubbed by any censors or similar overzealous idiots. He had been preparing for a meeting all day, and soon he would have a suitable place to function as a Sith enclave on this world. But until the time of his meeting came, he would need to take his mind off of it.

 

[Darth Tempest]

Things had changed drastically over the past few weeks. With their expulsion from Imperial territory, the Sith Order was forced to disseminate across the Galaxy - forcing them into the shadows, to rebuild themselves in secret. The recent conversation with Arla had left Darth Tempest wondering just how much of the existing Order she intended to save. There were precious few that the Dark Lord saw potential within - while the rest deserved to be culled or discarded entirely.

Only time would tell - and for the moment the half-Annfyn focused on spreading the influence of their Order. It was for that very reason Tempest had answered the private summons to Dressel. She didn’t know the Sith who had sent the message, nor did she rule out the possibility that the entire thing was a trap. And it was for that reason that Tempest didn’t reveal her true identity quite yet.

It didn’t take her very long to arrive within the city - traversing the very same alleyways that Kazamir had. Her commlink was already programmed to the coordinates that had been provided, which left the Dark Lord little guessing at her trajectory. She was dressed in simple dark robes - complete with a bandana that covered the lower hemisphere of her face. Her dark hair was pulled back into a loose braid, leaving only her honey-brown eyes completely visible.

The hilt of a newly forged Lightsaber swung at her belt - bled from the Kyber crystal of Indy Sati. The Pantoran Jedi Master had been killed by Tempest, but it was only recently that she had gone through the trouble of bleeding and utilizing the Kyber.

Upon reaching the door, Tempest swiped her hand with a gentle application of the Force - causing the durasteel barrier to hiss open once again. She stepped inside - amber eyes immediately sweeping the room. She didn’t fail to notice the individual sat at the far side of the room, not the weirdly-placed bunny that was placed on a table for.. No reason in particular. She figured that it did have a purpose, and at this point wasn’t putting anything past a stranger.

She crossed her arms, staring down the man. “Kazamir, I presume.”

@Black Noise

 

[Kazamir Von Derrik Janići]

Kazamir had not felt the Dark Lord approaching, but her presence was made known to him as she entered the room. He was springing up as she entered his abode and immediately took a knee in reverence. The wave of darkness that emanated from her commanded his respect, and Kazamir could not help but feel a sense of relief at having finally found someone powerful enough to respect.

“Kazamir, I presume.” She spoke, and "Yes, my Dark Goddess." Came the accented reply, his voice like honeyed wine. Not daring to lift his head yet, Kazamir attempted to offer reverence in the only manner he knew. "I am blessed beyond what I deserve by your beauty and presence. I implore you, tell your faithful servant how he might serve you." Of course, he knew why she had come. But it was only natural that she tell him what was desired.

Kazamir had prepared Dressel for a Sith enclave, there were only a few finishing touches necessary to put everything together. The location had been scoped out, their potential guards prepared, and a small fortune stood to be gained by the end of it. All that needed to be done was inform the previous tenants of the prepared location that their goods were forfeit, their land belonged to the Sith, and their lives existed only to serve. Simple things that Kazamir had faith could be handled easily.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest couldn’t help but raise a brow - watching as Kazamir dropped down to his knees. Since her ascent to leader of the Sith, the half-Annfyn had come to expect proper reverence and respect from the remaining members of her Order. All the same.. She couldn’t deny being somewhat taken aback by his verbiage and apparent devotion. Sith were rarely motivated by more than self-interest, and it left her doubting any of the sincerity behind the Champion’s words. It was a melodramatic display - and likely just that. A display.

Precisely three seconds of pause ticked - and only then did the Dark Lord tilt her gaze down to the knelt Sith. Her open palm extended ever-so-slightly, her fingers curling up to gesture Kazamir back onto his feet. “You may begin,” She started, staring down at the Anzati, “By never uttering that phrase again.” Said in reverence or not, the term ‘Dark Goddess’ sounded like something straight out of someone’s exotic fantasy.

Only once Kazamir was back on his feet did Tempest extend a gloved hand to the fellow Sith - offering a single solid shake. She was Dark Lord of the Sith and their undisputed leader, but that hardly made her incapable of greeting her followers. Her attention flicked around the cramped room that they occupied, making note of every item and visible object inside.

"Tell me what drew you to Dressel, and what you've gathered thus far.” She asked after a moment, considering the value of the planet. The woman clearly wanted to hear why the Anzati had devoted time and resources to the project.

Her attention promptly flicked to the bunny. “And why are you hauling a stuffed animal?”

@Black Noise

 

[Kazamir Von Derrik Janići]

Kazamir only rose when he was beckoned to do so, smiling a little as he was chastised. It was good to see the Dark Lord herself was still human, someone who picked and chose what titles she preferred to be called by. He also took note that she accepted his flattery without protest, he would remember that. Reaching out, he shook her hand solidly, once, then moved toward the door.

Waiting for a moment as Vahliri asked her questions, Kazamir turned to look at her and explained himself. His tone was plain and respectful, careful to make sure his descriptions of what he had been doing did not come across as condescending. "Dressel is a world of billions, its cities are scattered but in a great multitude. It grows its own food, and the culture of the natives is indistinguishable from the culture of every other agri-world in the galaxy. The food here is average, bland, and greatly lacking in force sensitives. Indeed, in my all hunting, I have not been able to find a single meal worth consuming for anything more than base sustenance.

"It is for these reasons that I chose this world. The ISC, the New Republic, the Empire, the Jedi, none of them have any hold over this planet. It is an excellent place to hide, grow, and gather strength without suffering any suspicious eyes. I have observed the movements and family of the local governor of this city. For a man with control over the fate of dozens of millions of sentients, he sorely lacks security. If we are able to capture him, threaten his family or blackmail him, I feel he would be a simple pawn to control. More importantly, he could manipulate him into doing more than just hiding us, we should be able to glean resources from him."

Pausing for a moment, Kazamir glanced over to the stuffed rabbit. An embarrassed smile reached across his features as he shrugged and explained himself further, "The rabbit is a tool to assist in hunting, should I seek more vulnerable prey. Although I admit I'm ashamed to use it anymore, as young prey offers no challenge, and I've been too focused on my work to find the time to properly discard it."

It did not occur to Kazamir, not even for a moment, that the Dark Lord would not know what he meant by 'hunting' and 'prey.' She was powerful enough to know what he was the moment she entered the room, he would not insult her by explaining these terms.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest kept her arms crossed overhear kept, featureless visor tilted up to regard the Sith Champion. Since their expulsion from Imperial Territory, the Dark Lord had been especially cautious to openly establish a presence on any planet - knowing all too well the target that had been placed on their backs. As he elaborated, however, she offered Kazamir a small nod of approval - indicating that she found the plan ultimately to her liking.

Keeping their influence discreet - draining Dressel of resources without presenting an obvious target to be attacked. It was a first step in the first direction, and offered them a steady stream of revenue to expand.

Her gaze flicked to regard the doll resting on the table. If the Dark Lord had any opinion regarding the feeding practices of the Anzati, she didn’t allow them to manifest on the surface. Instead, she merely flicked her attention back to him. “Very well." How Kazamir opted to feed his hunger didn’t matter to the half-Annfyn. So long as the Champion served her purposes.

The Dark Lord was silent for a long moment - considering the best way to blackmail this ‘Governor’. After a while, the half-Annfyn looked back to Kazamir - jutting her chin towards the door for them to get going. “His family residence, then.”

@Black Noise